Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-26

Fl' of itlfs isAlDLI5 EAiNl III.
We had often said to each other that 10
matter who else might perish, Ross in
some way would escape by reason Of his
high standing as Mason. Probably
the following narrative slows better than
anything else the fearful resolution with
which this deed Of blood was carried
through. Mr. Scott continues:
As we rosa from our knees one of them-I am
not sure at this late day whether Ross Camp
bell gave ms Ilaonc 81 NAL which craftsmen
only permitted 10 seasons OF suprt me
ieril. | rccog led 1t instantly and took him
aside and satisfied myself that he "sou Of
light" No one who has never been raised from
dead level to q living perpendicular can appre-
ciate my feelings. said with faltering voice:
MY brother, | will do what | can for You con
sis;ently with my obligation, to the government
To whoa owe allegiance"
He rei lied: II ask for nothing moro. We ore
about to be executed with only few hours
notice. We had no intimatIon of it until you in
formed us. Now, can you not prevail on the nil
itary authorities to respite one or two days''
replied: Il will maze an honest effort
The other prisoners must have heard portion
of tie conversation. for they seemed quite el ted
knew that must act promptly, so leaving
brother Macpone.l to talk with them, | left the
cell and went down into the front prison yard
where squadron of cavalry were already drawn
up. They had, found been waiting quietly Tor
our appearance. Col ". J Lawton had on that
day assumed command of the post lie was an
Oil and hiehly esteemed personal friend | told
him what had traBspird in The C II, and urged
hifn to respite them at least until the next day.
that to execute them on such short notice would
he utterly indefensiblc; that he could easily cut
OF all possibility OF escape. He a man Of
generous impulses. nnd | saw he was greatly
troubled and pcrpcxed He replied:
Il agree to all you s2y. I would most gladly
aTorl them relief, but" he continued, my orders
are peremptory. am required to execute them
today and have not tho Sill test discretion II |
disohey my orders aai iAble to be cashiered
and dsgrared"
He proposed 10 show me his orders, but l told
him his statement sufficient
was compelled to return and announce my
failure. was then asked IL would transmit
some messages to their friends. said certainly,
if the military authorities would allow it. They
then dictated their messages, brother NacDonell
writing three in his memorandum book and /
writing four In mine. There were but slight
verbal differences in their messages. AMI the fol
lowing may he taken as sample Of the whole:
Il am to suffer death this afternoon for my
loyalty. lam true to the old flag and trust in
Gods mercy for salvation"
The name OF the party and number OF his regi-
ment was attached.
The messages not sent because OF some
technical objections at the war department.
Immediately after this failure to Get the
least respite in the ine1orablc orders, the
officers read the sentence OF the court
martial, which directed the hanging of
the accused "as soon as this order shall be
made public;n between the 18th and 22d
days of June inst
When this cruel clause was first in
serted, it was probably thought that all
the band would be convicted in the same
Ia, ,.,< Ill
woul lie swept away with no opportu-
nifty II leave any word behindi The re-
fusal to send a harmless message 20
fricntls--a privilege that would not be de-
MED to the most infamous criminal
agrees with this view.
II was the manner of death rather than
death itself which seemed so horrible to
our comrades as they took their last leave
OF us. Most OF them were also without
any clear hope beyond the grave. A day.
even, to have sought divine favor would
have been n priceless boon, Wilson was
aprofessed unbclievcr. and many n time
had argued the truth OF the Christian re-
ligion with me half day at time; but
he said, "PittinCcr, I believe you are
right nowl try to be better prepared when
you come to die than | am" l could
scarcely release his hand as he rauttered,
God bless you" and turned away.
Shatlrack was careless, generous and
merry, though often excitable, and son,e-
times profane. Now he turned TO us with
. forced calmness Of voice which was
more affecting than . wall Of agony as
he said:
Boys, I'm not prepared to meet my
Jesus"
When asked by some Of rs, whose tears
were flowing fast, to think Of heavenly
mercy, he answered. still in tones Of
thrilling calmncss, I'm try, I'll try, but
know I'm not prepared"
Slayens, who was a man OF immense
| strength and iron resolution, turned to
his friend Buffum and could only articu-
| late, "Wife--children--te utter
ancs failed.
| John Scott was well educated, and had
left very pleasant home in Findlay, o.
/ Father and mother, brothers and sisters
have always been among the most re-
| spected Of the citizens there. He had
been married but three days before enlist
ing. and now the thought Of his young
and borrowing wife nearly drove him to
despair. He could only clasp his hands
In silent agony.
Campbell had \ half smile on his strong
face, but it was terribly unreal, with no
light in 1t, as be pressed our hands, and
even muttereS an unconscious oath. say
ing, Yes, boys, this Is - hard
But Ross was marvel and wonder to
- al. A cloud had long seemed to rest